Latest York state Attorney General Letitia James speaks at a news conference in Latest York, Sept. 8, 2022.
Caitlin Ochs | Reuters
Latest York Attorney General Letitia James asked a judge Tuesday to sanction Donald Trump, other defendants, and their lawyers for rehashing the identical failed legal arguments in James’ big civil fraud lawsuit against the previous president.
James asked that every one the defendants be fined $10,000 collectively, and that one other high quality of $10,000 be imposed on their lawyers collectively.
James’ request got here 4 weeks before trial within the lawsuit is about to start in Latest York State Supreme Court in Manhattan. The attorney general in that suit is searching for $250 million in damages from Trump and the opposite defendants for what she alleges is widespread fraud related to a decade of monetary statements.
In her filing Tuesday, James said that since last October, the defendants have made the identical legal arguments against her lawsuit five separate times.
James noted Judge Arthur Engoron has the discretion to “impose financial sanctions upon any party or attorney in a civil motion or proceeding who engages in frivolous conduct.”
The filing said that conduct is frivolous if “it is totally without merit in law,” or if it is completed “primarily to delay or delay the resolution of litigation.”
The arguments the Trump defendants repeatedly have raised include relate to claims that James doesn’t have the legal standing to sue them under Latest York law.
James in her filing said Engoron and appeals court rejected those arguments after they were made in separate filings in October, November, and February. They later were resurrected iun filings in August and again on Friday.
That is breaking news. Please check back for updates.